Flatbed scanner

Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Science Photo Library

Flatbed scanner

Scan head of a flatbed scanner. Flatbed or desktop scanners capture images from printed media using the scan head. The scan head contains a lamp (white tube) that illuminates the image. Light is reflected by a series of two or three mirrors to a lens (centre), which focuses the image through filters. Most scanners have three filters (red, green and blue) through which separate images are passed onto the charge-coupled device (CCD) array (upper right). The CCD array converts light into electrons, producing an electronic version of the image

Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations

Media ID 6436945

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Array Colour Computer Peripheral Device Filter Filters Hardware Peripherals Lamp Lens Lenses Mirror Mirrors Scanning Flatbed

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print from Science Photo Library showcases the intricate inner workings of a flatbed scanner. The scan head, the heart of this desktop scanning marvel, is depicted in all its technological glory. At first glance, one's attention is drawn to the lamp - a white tube that emits a soft glow, illuminating the image being scanned. As light bounces off the printed media, it encounters two or three mirrors strategically positioned within the scan head. These mirrors skillfully redirect and guide the light towards a central lens. The lens takes center stage in this composition as it focuses and sharpens every detail of the image before passing it through an array of filters. Three distinct filters - red, green, and blue - work harmoniously to separate different color components within each image captured by scanners. Once filtered, these images are then transmitted onto a charge-coupled device (CCD) array situated in the upper right corner. It is at this crucial juncture that technology seamlessly merges with artistry; as light penetrates each pixel on the CCD array surface, electrons are generated and meticulously convert into an electronic version of the original image. This remarkable process breathes life into paper documents or photographs by transforming them into digital masterpieces. Science Photo Library has expertly captured this mesmerizing snapshot that unveils not only how hardware peripherals like flatbed scanners function but also highlights their indispensable role in our increasingly digitized world.

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